More than 100,000 job vacancies remain unfilled on MyFutureJobs despite Malaysia’s unemployment rate falling to a historic low of around 2.9%.
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100,000 job vacancies remain unfilled on the MyFutureJobs portal despite Malaysia’s unemployment rate falling to a historic low of around 2.9%, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said.
He said about 300,000 job opportunities have been offered through the platform, with around 200,000 already taken up, but a significant number of vacancies remain available and should be fully utilised.
“We do not want to talk about job losses when jobs are available. In fact, there are jobs here and there,” he said at the National TVET Instructor and Accredited Centre Managers Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.
Ramanan said TVET-related salaries have also shown strong growth, with some roles now reaching RM16,000 and even up to RM40,000, reflecting rising demand for highly skilled workers across industries.
He said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has become a “game changer” and a core pillar in Malaysia’s strategy to build a high-income, innovation-driven economy.
While academic qualifications remain important, he said, they are no longer the only pathway to success in a rapidly changing labour market shaped by artificial intelligence and new technologies.
“Having a degree is good, but it is not the end of the world if one does not have one.
“With AI and new technologies, opportunities are changing,” he said.
As part of efforts to future-proof the workforce, Ramanan announced 22,000 free AI training places under TalentCorp, in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY).
He urged Malaysians to take advantage of the programme, saying it is part of a broader push to strengthen digital and AI skills nationwide.
Ramanan said TVET instructors and educators remain the backbone of Malaysia’s skills ecosystem, playing a critical role in shaping the country’s future workforce.
“You are shaping our nation, you are the movers and shakers of Malaysia,” he said, praising their dedication and commitment.
He said TVET is no longer a supporting system but a key driver of national development, aligned with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), which targets 700,000 new jobs and a workforce of 3.3 million in related sectors by 2030.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the country is also targeting a Gross National Income per capita of about RM77,200.
Ramanan said TVET 2.0 reforms are now focused on high-growth, high-value (HGHV) sectors, with stronger industry alignment, expanded postgraduate vocational pathways and co-funding between government and industry.
He also highlighted the proposed RM100 million allocation for TVET participants, currently structured as loans, which the ministry is seeking to convert into grants.
“We will try our best to convert this into grants. I cannot promise, but we are working on it,” he said.
The minister also announced the JPK Internationalisation Action Plan 2026–2030 and SkillsMalaysia Global initiative, aimed at aligning the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) and National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) with global benchmarks.
He said efforts are underway to position Malaysia as a regional TVET hub through student mobility, international certification and global collaboration.
On digital transformation, Ramanan said the ministry is advancing its AI agenda, including the establishment of a TVET Data War Room and plans to develop 150 AI-skilled officers.
He added that Malaysia’s TVET graduate employability rate has exceeded 95%, with strong employer satisfaction and high job relevance.
Ramanan said the ultimate goal is to ensure TVET instructors and accredited centre managers remain the driving force behind Malaysia’s transformation into a high-income, inclusive and globally competitive nation.
